There are approximately 6 million automobile accidents in the U.S. every year. More than 37,000 people die in these accidents each year. An additional 2.35 million people are injured in car accidents, many becoming permanently disabled due to their injuries. Even minor motor vehicle accidents can cause significant injuries. These injuries come with very high medical bills and diagnostic costs. For more severe injuries, there may be ongoing medical care for years or even the rest of their lives. In addition, these injuries can cause lost wages due to the inability to work during recovery. Some of these people will never be able to return to work or support themselves again. Some injuries from vehicle accidents are more common than others. These common injuries often come with a difficult road to recovery for the injured person and high costs and losses. When these injuries occur, the at-fault driver should be held responsible for the costs and losses of these injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are very common in automobile accidents. The spinal cord is the tubular-shaped structure that is made up of nervous tissue. This structure runs from the brain stem to the lumbar region of the spine. The spinal cord is responsible for sending signals between the brain and every nerve in the body. When an injury to the spinal cord occurs, it disrupts the signals sent to the various areas of the body and pose serious issues. The spinal injury lawyers assist with cases involving injuries to the spinal cord.
Some spinal cord injuries are not always immediately known. This is why it is important to be checked out by a medical professional immediately after any car accident. Damages to the spine or spinal cord causes swelling and pressure that impairs the spinal cords ability to send messages between the brain and the body. Severe damage to the spinal cord poses serious risks to a person’s ability to move or function. It even poses risks of paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries often lead to permanent disabilities. Loss of movement, use, and feeling in the entire body or even various areas of the body can cause a person to need ongoing care for the rest of their lives. In addition, spinal cord injuries make it impossible for a person to work and support themselves or their families. An attorney will assist those with spinal cord injuries to get fair compensation to help overcome these losses and costs.
Head Injuries
Another common injury from a car accident is a head injury. This is another type of injury that is often missed immediately after an accident. If there is any possibility during an accident that you hit your head, it is strongly recommended that are checked out by a medical professional. Even if you are fine after the accident, if symptoms of a head injury are noticed, you should seek immediate medical attention. This could be a traumatic brain injury and is a major cause of death that results in an average of 155 deaths each day in the U.S.
Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by any bump, blow, or jolt to the head that causes a disruption to the brain’s normal function. Most traumatic brain injuries are mild and often referred to as a concussion. These are often noticed by a brief loss of consciousness or change in mental status. More severe traumatic brain injuries have extended loss of consciousness or even memory loss. Even mild injuries are a significant issue and should be checked out by a medical professional to ensure further damage or issues are not present.
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries cause permanent damage to the brain. This can cause a physical or mental disability for those with these injuries. Even those that may seem to recover fully may still have symptoms that are permanent. These permanent symptoms often have a profound effect on a person’s life. Often, this requires ongoing care and therapy for much of their life. The costs and losses that come from a head injury are often very significant. Often, those with these injuries will need compensation to help them with these permanent issues.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are very common injuries that can occur even in minor car accidents. These injuries are often considered soft tissue injuries. This means that the injury did not directly involve the bone. Neck injuries, such as whiplash, are often caused by the force of the neck being jerked back and forth due to the sudden stop of a car accident. Often, the pain of this injury may not begin immediately, but usually presents itself within 24 hours after the accident.
In general, whiplash causes pain and stiffness in the neck and can cause headaches. The pain has also been shown to affect other parts of the body due to the strain. This pain can last for several weeks after an accident. For those with more severe injuries, the pain can be chronic and have long-lasting complications. This includes numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms or shoulders. Dizziness and fatigue are also common signs of whiplash. Blurred vision and ringing in the ears have also been reported in some people.
It is very important to contact a doctor as soon as symptoms are noticed after a car accident. Delaying medical care poses risks of further problems with your care and treatment. In addition, it could cause difficulties when attempting to get compensation for medical bills or loss of work. If you are injured from a car accident, it is also a good idea to contact an attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
This list only highlights some of the more common injuries from an automobile accident. Broken bones or internal injuries can also occur during these types of accidents. It is always important to seek immediate medical care after a car accident, especially if there is an obvious injury. However, even if care is refused immediately after, it is important to seek care right away if any symptoms arise. This helps to get the care you need and prevent further complications. It is also important that you contact an attorney to help with the costs of these injuries. They will provide assistance and representation in court against the driver who caused the accident. An attorney will also provide assistance dealing with the insurance company to ensure you get fair compensation for your claim.
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